Joe Gomez has been speaking at the start of Liverpool's preseason training, with the mood in the camp positive at the start of the Andoni Iraola at Anfield this summer
13:14, 18 Jul 2026
Joe Gomez during a Liverpool training session
Joe Gomez during a Liverpool training session(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez says the Reds players are excited about working with Andoni Iraola after he took over from Arne Slot at the end of the season.
Arriving from Bournemouth, Iraola is making a big step up in the level of club that he is taking charge of, and he has no such similar experience, but he comes in with a strong reputation and a clear intent to play an attractive, intense style.
That was crucial in the decision-making process when it came to appointing the Spaniard this summer, with Liverpool looking to bounce back from a below-par campaign in which it finished fifth.
"He seems like a really nice guy," Gomez told club media when he was asked about the early days of Iraola.
"It's obviously massively impressive what he did at Bournemouth and how he got them to perform. I think we're all looking forward to it and we're all excited to have him. We're all hungry and excited to go."
On the mood being high at the training ground, he added: "Definitely. I think it's a combination of a new gaffer and having such a good break. At the end of the day, we love what we do and we're always going to be excited to come back and get ready."
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is preparing for the new season
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is preparing for the new season(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool will take on local side Vauxhall Motors at the AXA Training Centre in a behind-closed-doors friendly today. It faces Wrexham, Sunderland and Leeds on its U.S. tour before hosting Como and Monaco at Anfield.
The new Premier League season begins with a trip to Newcastle on August 23, with matches against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth all coming before the September international break.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who signed a new contract that will keep him at Liverpool until 2031 earlier this week, has also spoken positively about Iraola. "I think he showed it in Bournemouth that [he is] an unbelievable coach," Szoboszlai said.
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"He always competed with us with the most fit team in the Premier League. With the intensity and how he wants to play and the knowledge that he has, I think he's an unbelievable coach. I'm looking forward to playing under him.
"I want to set the example. I want to be an example also for everyone, as much as I can.
"When I signed, I said I wanted to win everything. That didn't change for a little moment either. It stayed the same: I want to win everything that is possible in this country, also let's say the Champions League. I'm ready to go for it."
Liverpool.com says: Having a fresh voice in training definitely has benefits. Iraola will have to get his message across very quickly, but it will certainly help that he is coming from a familiar team.
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Having managed in England already, Iraola has already faced most of the opponents coming up. The big test will be having two games every week and less time on the training field.